Guiao, nag resign sa Gilas; Spain at Argentina sa Semis na

Nag-resign si Guiao pagkaraang mag-meeting kasama ng mga opisyales mula sa Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) sa pangunguna ni chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan, president Al Panlilio at vice chairman Ricky Vargas.

Nagbitiw si Guiao pagkaraan ng FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 sa China kung saan walang naipanalo ang Gilas Pilipinas sa kompetisyon. Natalo rin ang bansa sa limang laro at nagtapos sa hulihan sa rankings ng kompetisyon. “In the light of all these developments, I am stepping down, as of today, as the Head Coach of the Gilas Men’s Basketball Team, in order to give the SBP a free hand in building and developing a program towards achieving our objective of competing with the best of the best. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve our country through the sport we love most. Para sa bayan,” saad ni Guiao sa kanyang statement.

Pinasalamatan ni Guiao ang lahat ng sumuporta sa kampanya ng Gilas Pilipinas sa World Cup. Katulad ng milyong Pilipino ay hindi rin siya nasiyahan sa ipinakita ng koponan sa kompetisyon. “As regards the past performance of the GILAS PILIPINAS MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM in the recent World Cup, I am as disappointed as the rest of the country. I truly and fully appreciate the efforts and sacrifices of all the players; not just those of the recent FIBA World Cup Team, but of all those who have contributed to the program since my appointment as head coach for the 2018 Asian Games. I would also like to extend my personal thanks to the coaching staff, trainers, utilities and the management of the Gilas Team for their hard work, support, and cooperation,” saad ni Guiao.

Ayon kay Guiao, pagtutuunan niya ng pansin ang NLEX Road Warriors kung saan siya ang head coach.

Panghuli ay pinasalamatan ni Guiao ang mga opisyales ng SBP. “Above all, I am most thankful to SBP Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and SBP President Al Panlilio for the opportunity to have been of service to the country in the sport I love most.”

Samantala, tinalo ng Argentina ang Serbia, 97-87, sa quarterfinals ng FIBA Basketball World Cup. Gumawa ng 20 points si Luis Scola habang nagtala ng 18 points at 12 assists si Facundo Campazzo para sa Argentina na aabante sa semifinals kung saan makakalaban nila ang nanalo sa laro ng United States at France kagabi.Umabanse rin sa semifinals ang Spain na tinalo ang Poland, 90-78. Nagtala ng 19 points si Ricky Rubio habang 18 points ang iniskor ni Willie Hernangomez. Makakaharap ng Spain ang mananalo sa laro ng Australia at Czech Republic.